Housing in Madison:
Finding an affordable apartment in Madison is a fairly easy task. There are a number of unique locations in Madison for graduate students that will satisfy a variety of housing needs/desires. As of 2018, 79% of UW-Madison graduate CBE students lived in rented apartments, 15% lived in rented houses, and 6% lived in self-owned condos/houses. About 27% of students live alone, 68% live with one roommate, and 5% live with two or more other people. About 59% of students take the bus to campus, 21% bike, 10% drive, and 10% walk; many students alternate between taking the bus in the winter and biking/walking in the summer.
Madison is very fortunate to have an incredible public bus system that runs frequently throughout the city and is accessible in all of the suggested housing locations. Students are provided with a bus pass that allows them access to Madison buses.
Hilldale/Sheboygan:
- Monthly cost: $570-$1030
- Residence type(s): Rented apartments
- Commute to campus: 10-20 minutes by bus, car, or bike
- Pros: Close to shopping, close to parks, tends to be quieter
- Cons: Far from downtown, not in walking distance of campus, apartment buildings are a bit older
Capitol/Downtown:
- Monthly cost: $730-$2500
- Residence type(s): Rented apartments and rented houses
- Commute to campus: 10-20 minutes by bus and walking, 5-10 minutes by bike
- Pros: Walking distance of Engineering Hall, close to entertainment and downtown amenities (restaurants and bars), car not necessary
- Cons: A bit noisier and more traffic, grocery stores in walking distance are a tad expensive, more undergraduates
Near West:
- Monthly cost: $640-$2100
- Residence type(s): Rented apartments and rented houses
- Commute to campus: 10-15 minutes by bus or walking
- Pros: Quiet, close to parks, walking distance to Engineering Hall, close to many graduate students, fewer undergraduates
- Cons: Not as close to grocery shopping, tends to be more expensive
Near East:
- Monthly cost: $600-$1500
- Residence type(s): Rented apartments and houses
- Commute to campus: 10-20 minutes by bus or bike
- Pros: Close to lake, nice mix of people (young families and students), eclectic neighborhood festivals, close to grocery stores
- Cons: Parking space is limited, houses tend to be older, not in walking distance of Engineering Hall
Far West/Middleton:
- Monthly cost: $800-$1000
- Residence type(s): Rented apartments and self-owned condos
- Commute to campus: 15-20 minutes by bus or car
- Pros: Quiet, close to parks, cheaper to live alone, more family-oriented
- Cons: Far from downtown, not in walking distance of campus, limited bus routes, better to have a car
Far East/Sun Prairie:
- Monthly cost: $1200
- Residence type(s): Self-owned house
- Commute to campus: >30 minutes by bus
- Pros: House with a yard, less expensive
- Cons: Far from downtown, requires a car